In what’s being dubbed as an exhibition match “extravaganza”, tennis superstars Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will face off on the eve of the Australian Open.
The match, scheduled for Friday evening at Rod Laver Enviornment, will mark Djokovic’s return to Melbourne Park after he was controversially deported from Australia final January.
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It is going to be the pair’s first match since final yr’s Wimbledon last when Djokovic triumphed in 4 thrilling units.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley mentioned all ticket gross sales from the match will go to charity.
“We’ll have an area extravaganza on Friday evening at 6.30pm – Novak towards Nick,” Tiley mentioned.
“We’ll open up the stands with ticket gross sales (from Tuesday) … at a really low worth level so we are able to get the stadium full on Rod Laver so followers can come out and it will go in the direction of the Australian Tennis Basis.
“I believe that’ll be a very cool initiative.”
Tiley mentioned he hopes the Melbourne Park crowd will embrace Djokovic simply because the Adelaide followers did following the Serbian’s latest win on the Adelaide Worldwide.
“We have spoken loads during the last week,” Tiley mentioned.
“He (Djokovic) actually loved the expertise in South Australia and he was welcomed… he liked it there.
“I really like that our followers, are sporting followers and are among the many most educated and recognize greatness. They recognize gamers like Novak who’ve gained this occasion 9 instances.
“Novak is again and … I am fairly assured that the Melbourne followers – just like the expertise he had in Adelaide – will probably be simply pretty much as good.”
Talking final week on the Adelaide Worldwide, Djokovic confirmed that talks have been underway about organizing a follow match with Kyrgios forward of the Australian Open.
“We’re speaking with the Australian Open about doing one thing in every week previous to the beginning of the match,” Djokovic mentioned after reserving a quarter-final berth on the match.
“Sure, I chatted with Nick, and I wish to play with him, and he accepted, however he needs shorter units. Let’s examine if that works out.”
Djokovic, a nine-time winner at Melbourne Park, mentioned the spectacle can be a part of the brand new Tennis Australia initiative that features ticketed follow matches on Rod Laver Enviornment earlier than the primary occasion begins on January 16.
“I am completely satisfied if that will probably be organized; we’re nonetheless not having 100 p.c affirmation, however I believe almost certainly will occur with Nick, so I am wanting ahead to that,” Djokovic mentioned.
Djokovic and Kyrgios have had some public spats up to now however the 21-time main title winner declared their “bromance” after softening the Australian throughout a follow session forward of the Wimbledon last the place it was determined the winner would pay for dinner.
Requested by a fan a couple of ‘Nov-ick bromance’, Kyrgios first claimed they might play collectively at Indian Wells in March if Djokovic is allowed into the USA whereas unvaccinated towards COVID-19.
The Aussie then posted on Instagram that the brand new doubles pair is “loading”, asking Djokovic if he’s prepared.
Friday evening’s match will probably be Kyrgios’ solely heat up forward of the Australian Open, which begins subsequent Monday.
